The friendly "dumb" bike questions thread

[Krikkit]

That sounds fking st scary... Were the bars absolutely jammed solid? Perhaps the head bearing? When was it last serviced/checked over?

[Bumblebee7]

Krikkit said:

That sounds fking st scary... Were the bars absolutely jammed solid? Perhaps the head bearing? When was it last serviced/checked over?

It was really bizarre, felt like something was physically catching. Bike was serviced at Honda a few months ago and had a health check about two weeks ago when I took it in to adjust the chain. But yes, absolutely jammed solid, no movement at all. I thought it was a freak one off until it happened again today. By pure chance I've had to brake fairly hard two days in a row but I can't think of any other time I've had to brake that hard since I bought the bike in October. I can't for the life of me figure out what could be getting caught though! If it helps the shock absorber was compressed, as when I freed the handlebars they definitely popped back up. Which would explain why it happens under heavy braking.

[Prof Prolapse]

black-k1 said:

I can't suggest what the problem is but if I were you, I'd get it sorted before I used the bike again.

Totally agree, it's one of those rare things where it sounds too serious to speculate on t'interweb... Someone experienced definitely needs to check it over.

I mean, Jesus, can you imagine it happening at decent speed... Could be good night Vienna that one.

[RizzoTheRat]

If the forks stay compressed it did sound like something catching. Theres not anywhere a brake hose or throttle/clutch cable could catch around the head stock is there? Definitely check everything asap, not only in case it locks again but if it's a brake line catching you could lose your brakes

[MotorsportTom]

Bumblebee7 said:

It was really bizarre, felt like something was physically catching. Bike was serviced at Honda a few months ago and had a health check about two weeks ago when I took it in to adjust the chain. But yes, absolutely jammed solid, no movement at all. I thought it was a freak one off until it happened again today. By pure chance I've had to brake fairly hard two days in a row but I can't think of any other time I've had to brake that hard since I bought the bike in October. I can't for the life of me figure out what could be getting caught though! If it helps the shock absorber was compressed, as when I freed the handlebars they definitely popped back up. Which would explain why it happens under heavy braking.

The only things I can think of are either fork bushes being very worn or the head bearings being really loose and under hard compression it's able to move away from it's normal position.

I am sure you would feel other issues while riding if this were the case though.
I'd be getting it (very gingerly) to a good garage, whom isn't necessarily a Honda dealership, and describe exactly what has happened and ask them to get the front end in the air and find out what is going on.

Definitely not a common problem and needs sorting as soon as possible.

[dern]

Take it to an mot place with a brake roller. You should be able to replicate it on that.

Can't think what it would be though. If the brakes jammed on the front may stay compressed I guess but you'd be able to turn the bars unless the front wheel was caught on something. If it was the head bearings the front might jam (I guess) but then why would the forks stay compressed.

Yeah, don't ride it until fixed.

[pessimal]

span adjustable levers.

how do people set them up??

i have the habit of putting them in the shortest span and leaving them, is there a rule of thumb to setting them, or is it just personal preference?

[Bumblebee7]

Ok so I have an update for you wise folks! But still an underlying question remains... I took the bike out just now, found a wide quiet road and tried it a few times- no luck. Thought I'd really try harder, legs off the pegs just in case I needed them for balance, bike up to 40mph and I just yanked the front brake and bingo! So it's definitely physically catching on the front mudguard! I just don't know why?? Inherent design flaw or something wrong with my bike, if so- what could it be?? Pics attached.

ETA sorry about the sideways photos, all done from my phone

Edited by Bumblebee7 on Friday 22 March 16:44

[Bumblebee7]

[Bumblebee7]

[SpeckledJim]

Jesus. That's absolutely the sort of thing that can kill you. And what a daft thing to die for.

Hopeless design / fitment.

[SpeckledJim]

The brake hose might be moving the mudguard when under the pressure of the forks compressing.

I'd definitely not ride that again until that was removed or fixed.

[CousinDupree]

Something is bent / out of position for sure.

Are the forks straight? Look at them from the side? Also check if there are any creases on the headstock.

There obviously should be some clearance. Take it to a dealer to check.

[Krikkit]

Without wanting to sound harsh, are you a healthy sided chap with the forks set up to a tiny rider?

I'd take some pictures and cut the font mudguard up so it can't catch.

[Bumblebee7]

As far as I can tell the forks are straight, nice smooth movement on the shocks and when putting my full weight on the bars I can't get it to touch (but it is very close). I've filmed it in slo-mo but don't know how I could upload it in a format I can share. The issue seems only to arise under very heavy braking.

The bike has been lowered previously as the chap I bought it from was shorter, but I can't imagine there would be a huge difference in weight. I'm 90kg, so not light but also not crazily heavy either. Is it possible to adjust the firmness of the shocks?

My follow up question is, assuming the front shocks were adjusted to match the lowering at the rear (and I'm not necessarily convinced this has been done) should the mudguard be able to catch before bottoming out? I would imagine the bike should be designed in such a manner that regardless of setting the shocks should bottom out (hit bump stops?) before catching on anything.

Also I don't think there's anything bent out of shape as the mudguard is fitted at a multitude of points so it's not possible for it to rotate further back as I thought may have been the case.

I think I'm going to have to take it to a professional to look at because I haven't got a clue...

[gareth_r]

Bumblebee7 said:

...The bike has been lowered...

How much of the fork leg is protruding above the top yoke?

Seems to me like it's been lowered (too far) by dropping the yokes on the fork stanchions.

[CousinDupree]

gareth_r said:

How much of the fork leg is protruding above the top yoke?

Seems to me like it's been lowered (too far) by dropping the yokes on the fork stanchions.

Yup.

[Ronzx6r]

It’s been lowered to much and the front mudguard is going up in to the fairing, seems obvious

[CousinDupree]

Why did the original owner buy the raised X model and then lower it.

I guess it's the biking equivalent of a sporty / lowered SUV. Bizzare.

[the tribester]

Something not quite right there.

Has someone tried to lower it? slipped the forks down the yokes?

My mate has one, and on full compression the guard doesn't get that close.